Image output apparatus, control method, and computer-readable storage medium for providing an output operation regardless of a connection state between apparatuses

ABSTRACT

There is provided an image output apparatus characterized by comprising: first communication control means for controlling communication using a first protocol; second communication control means for controlling communication relating to an image using a second protocol; image output means for executing image output 
     processing based on an image supplied under the communication control by the second communication control means; and link control means for performing control relating to disconnection of the communication by each of the first communication control means and the second communication control means. When disconnection of the communication by the first communication control means is detected, the link control means holds disconnection processing of the communication by the second communication control means based on a state of the communication control relating to the image by the second communication control means.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/992,015 filed on Nov. 10, 2010, which is a National Stage ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/JP2009/060724 filed Jun. 5,2009, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No.2008-171246, filed Jun. 30, 2008. The entire disclosures of these priorapplications are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image output apparatus, a controlmethod, and a computer-readable storage medium.

BACKGROUND ART

A direct printing technique (e.g., PictBridge) of directly connecting adigital camera and a printer by a physical interface, and directlyoutputting an image captured by the digital camera from the printerwithout intervening a PC is known. At this moment, a USB (UniversalSerial Bus) is the mainstream of the physical interface. Such directprinting technique, however, does not depend on the type of physicalinterface, and can also use a wireless interface in principle. As thedirect printing technique, a technique which allows a digital camera tocapture an object while a protocol for direct printing is executed isknown (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-94376).

Depending on a protocol for a direct printing technique, a digitalcamera may not be able to release a connection until print processing bya printer is completed even if image data transfer is complete. If, forexample, a connection between the digital camera and the printer isdisconnected during the print processing, a print error occurs, and apaper sheet midway through the print processing is discharged.

In particular, if a protocol for direct printing is executed using awireless interface, a problem may arise. This is because if image datatransfer from the digital camera to the printer is completed and thenthe user of the digital camera moves it away from the printer todisconnect a wireless connection, it is impossible to guarantee theoperation of the printer.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a technique which can guarantee an outputoperation by an image output apparatus regardless of the connectionstate between apparatuses if image transfer is completed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is providedan image output apparatus characterized by comprising: firstcommunication control means for controlling communication using a firstprotocol; second communication control means for controllingcommunication relating to an image using a second protocol; image outputmeans for executing image output processing based on an image suppliedunder the communication control by the second communication controlmeans; and link control means for performing control relating todisconnection of the communication by each of the first communicationcontrol means and the second communication control means, wherein whendisconnection of the communication by the first communication controlmeans is detected, the link control means holds disconnection processingof the communication by the second communication control means based ona state of the communication control relating to the image by the secondcommunication control means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is providedan image output apparatus characterized by comprising: firstcommunication control means for performing connection control ofcommunication via a communication interface; second communicationcontrol means for controlling communication relating to an image using acommunication path of a connection which has been established by thefirst communication control means; image output means for executingimage output processing based on an image supplied under thecommunication control by the second communication control means; andlink control means for performing control relating to disconnection ofthe communication by each of the first communication control means andthe second communication control means, wherein when disconnection ofthe communication by the first communication control means is detected,the link control means holds disconnection processing of thecommunication by the second communication control means based on a stateof the communication control relating to the image by the secondcommunication control means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda control method for an image output apparatus, characterized bycomprising: a first communication control step of controllingcommunication using a first protocol; a second communication controlstep of controlling communication relating to an image using a secondprotocol; an image output step of executing image output processingbased on an image supplied under the communication control in the secondcommunication control step; and a link control step of performingcontrol relating to disconnection of the communication in each of thefirst communication control step and the second communication controlstep, wherein in the link control step, when disconnection of thecommunication in the first communication control step is detected,disconnection processing of the communication in the secondcommunication control step is held based on a state of the communicationcontrol relating to the image in the second communication control step.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program whichcauses a computer to function as first communication control means forcontrolling communication using a first protocol, second communicationcontrol means for controlling communication relating to an image using asecond protocol, and link control means for performing control relatingto disconnection of the communication by each of the first communicationcontrol means and the second communication control means, and holding,when disconnection of the communication by the first communicationcontrol means is detected, disconnection processing of the communicationby the second communication control means based on a state of thecommunication control relating to the image by the second communicationcontrol means.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of an image output systemincluding an image output apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of the image outputapparatus (a printer 10) shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an image supplyapparatus (digital camera 20) shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing sequence of the imageoutput apparatus (printer 10) shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of communicationdisconnection control processing in step S410 shown in FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6A to 6C are sequence charts showing a processing sequence of theprinter 10 shown in FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that therelative arrangement of the components, the numerical expressions andnumerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scopeof the present invention unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of an image output systemincluding an image output apparatus according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an image supply apparatus which supplies animage output apparatus 10 with an image to be output (printed). Theimage output apparatus 10 forms and outputs an image on a printingmedium such as a paper sheet based on the image input from the imagesupply apparatus 20. The image output apparatus 10 and image supplyapparatus 20 are connected with each other using a communication unit(not shown), thereby implementing a direct print function using thecommunication unit. In this embodiment, a case in which the image outputapparatus 10 serves as a printer and the image supply apparatus 20serves as a digital camera will be explained as an example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of the printer 10 shownin FIG. 1.

The printer 10 includes a first communication control unit 201, secondcommunication control unit 202, communication unit 203, ROM 204, linkcontrol unit 205, RAM 206, printer function unit 207, and CPU 208.

The communication unit 203 serves as a communication interface. Thefirst communication control unit 201 performs connection control ofcommunication with a communication partner apparatus using apredetermined protocol (first protocol). For example, the firstcommunication control unit 201 establishes a connection with the digitalcamera 20 via the communication unit 203.

The second communication control unit 202 controls communicationrelating to an image using a higher protocol (second protocol) of theprotocol used for communication by the first communication control unit201. For example, the unit 202 controls to receive an image transferredfrom the digital camera 20 side (to the self apparatus) and supply it tothe printer function unit 207. The second communication control unit 202controls the communication with the digital camera 20 using acommunication path established by the communication unit 203 and firstcommunication control unit 201.

The printer function unit 207 executes image output processing (to alsobe referred to as print processing hereinafter). That is, the unit 207forms an image on a printing medium such as a paper sheet. The unit 207executes print processing based on image data (a print image) which hasbeen received from the digital camera 20 under the communication controlby the second communication control unit 202.

The link control unit 205 manages the connection state in the firstcommunication control unit 201 and a print processing state in thesecond communication control unit 202 while performing control relatingto disconnection of the communication by each of the control units. Thelink control unit 205 manages two states, that is, “disconnection” and“connection”, as communication control states (connection states) of thefirst communication control unit 201. The link control unit 205 alsomanages three states, that is, “disconnection”, “print wait”, and“printing”, as communication control states (print processing states) ofthe second communication control unit 202.

The CPU 208 controls the printer 10 as a whole. The ROM 204 stores aprocessing procedure of the CPU 208. The RAM 206 is used as a work areafor the CPU 208.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of the digital camera20 shown in FIG. 1.

The digital camera 20 includes a first communication control unit 301,second communication control unit 302, communication unit 303, ROM 304,digital camera control unit 305, RAM 306, user interface control unit307, and CPU 308.

The communication unit 303 serves as a communication interface. Thefirst communication control unit 301 establishes a connection with acommunication partner apparatus using the predetermined protocol (firstprotocol). The first communication control unit 301, for example,establishes a connection with the printer 10 via the communication unit303.

The second communication control unit 302 controls communication (e.g.,image transfer) relating to an image using a protocol (second protocol)higher than the protocol used for communication by the firstcommunication control unit 301. The second communication control unit302 controls the communication using a communication path established bythe communication unit 303 and first communication control unit 301.

The digital camera control unit 305 controls the digital camera 20. Theuser interface control unit 307 functions as an interface connecting theuser and the digital camera 20. The user interface control unit 307 hasan input function of inputting a print instruction which has beentransmitted by the user using the direct print function, and an outputfunction of outputting various pieces of information transmitted fromthe printer 10.

The CPU 308 controls the digital camera 20 as a whole. The ROM 304stores a processing procedure of the CPU 308. The RAM 306 is used as awork area for the CPU 308.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing sequence of the printer10 shown in FIG. 1. Processing when print processing by direct printingis executed based on a print image from the digital camera 20 will nowbe described.

In an initial state, the printer 10 waits until the first communicationcontrol unit 201 receives a connection request from a communicationpartner apparatus (the digital camera 20 in this embodiment) (NO in stepS401). Upon receiving a connection request from the digital camera 20during this wait time (YES in step S401), the link control unit 205 ofthe printer 10 changes the state of the first communication control unit201 managed by itself to “connection” (step S402). After the state ischanged, the printer 10 waits until the second communication controlunit 202 receives, from the digital camera 20, a connection request fortransferring a print image (NO in step S403).

Upon receiving a connection request (YES in step S403), the link controlunit 205 of the printer 10 changes the state of the second communicationcontrol unit 202 managed by itself to “print wait” (step S404). Afterthe state is changed, the second communication control unit 202 of theprinter 10 executes print image acquisition processing (step S405). Ifthe print image acquisition processing is completed (YES in step S406),the link control unit 205 of the printer 10 changes the state of thesecond communication control unit 202 managed by itself to “printing”(step S407). After that, the printer function unit 207 of the printer 10starts print processing based on the received print image (step S408).

If, during the print processing, the communication by the firstcommunication control unit 201 is disconnected, more specifically, thefirst communication control unit 201 transmits a disconnectionnotification to the link control unit 205 (YES in step S409), theprinter 10 executes communication disconnection control processing (stepS410). The communication disconnection control processing is executed inthe link control unit 205, and details thereof will be described later.After that, if the print processing is completed (YES in step S411), thelink control unit 205 of the printer 10 changes the state of the secondcommunication control unit 202 managed by itself to “print wait” (stepS412).

After the end of the print processing, the printer 10 determines whetherthe second communication control unit 202 is in a disconnection holdingstate. If the unit 202 is in a holding state (YES in step S413), thelink control unit 205 executes the communication disconnection controlprocessing (step S410), and the printer 10 ends this processing;otherwise (NO in step S413), the printer 10 ends this processing withoutany process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of the communicationdisconnection control processing in step S410 shown in FIG. 4. Asdescribed above, this processing is executed when a connection by thefirst communication control unit 201 is disconnected (YES in step S409)or disconnection processing by the second communication control unit 202is being held (YES in step S413). If a connection by the firstcommunication control unit 201 is disconnected, the first communicationcontrol unit 201 transmits a disconnection notification to the linkcontrol unit 205. This allows the link control unit 205 to grasp theconnection state of the first communication control unit 201.

The link control unit 205 of the printer 10 checks whether the state ofthe second communication control unit 202 is “printing”. If the state ofthe second communication control unit 202 is “printing” (YES in stepS501), the unit 205 holds the disconnection processing of the secondcommunication control unit 202 (step S507) and ends this processing;otherwise (NO in step S501), the unit 205 determines whether thedisconnection processing of the second communication control unit 202 isbeing held.

As a result, if the disconnection processing is not being held (NO instep S502), the link control unit 205 ends this processing without anyprocess; otherwise (YES in step S502), the link control unit 205notifies the second communication control unit 202 of disconnection(step S503). Furthermore, the link control unit 205 changes the state ofthe second communication control unit 202 managed by itself to“disconnection” (step S504), and notifies the first communicationcontrol unit 201 of disconnection (step S505). After that, the linkcontrol unit 205 changes the state of the first communication controlunit 201 managed by itself to “disconnection” (step S506), and ends thisprocessing.

As described above, a connection by the first communication control unit201 may be disconnected at an arbitrary timing (e.g., at a timing whenthe digital camera 20 is moved away from the printer 10) after theprinter 10 receives a connection request from the digital camera 20.Upon receiving a disconnection notification from the first communicationcontrol unit 201, the link control unit 205 executes disconnectionprocessing of the second communication control unit 202 and that of thefirst communication control unit 201. The link control unit 205 executesthe disconnection processing at a timing depending on the communicationcontrol state, that is, the processing state, of the secondcommunication control unit managed by itself. More specifically, if thestate of the second communication control unit 202 is “printing” (i.e.,an image is being supplied to the printer function unit 207), thedisconnection processing is held until the state is changed from“printing”. This prevents a problem of accidental print processingabortion when communication is disconnected during the print processingeven though a print image has been received.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are sequence charts showing a processing sequence of theprinter 10 shown in FIG. 1. A case in which the first communicationcontrol unit 201 transmits a disconnection notification to the linkcontrol unit 205 when the state of the second communication control unit202 is “printing” will be explained as an example.

The link control unit 205 of the printer 10 manages “disconnection” asthe state of the first communication control unit 201, and“disconnection” as the state of the second communication control unit202. Assume that the user of the digital camera 20 operates the userinterface control unit 307 to start direct printing between the digitalcamera 20 and the printer 10 (step S601).

The user interface control unit 307 of the digital camera 20 notifiesthe second communication control unit 302 of a print instruction basedon the user operation (step S602). Then, the second communicationcontrol unit 302 notifies the first communication control unit 301 of aconnection request to request to connect with the printer 10 (stepS603). The first communication control unit 301 transmits a connectionrequest to the printer 10 (step S604), and waits for a connectionresponse from the opposing apparatus (printer 10).

Upon reception of the connection request from the digital camera 20, theprinter 10 transmits a connection response (connection acknowledgement)from the first communication control unit 201 to the digital camera 20(if it is possible to establish a connection) (step S605). At the sametime, the first communication control unit 201 transmits a connectionnotification to the link control unit 205 (step S606). Upon reception ofthe notification, the link control unit 205 changes the state of thefirst communication control unit 201 to “connection” (step S607).

Meanwhile, the digital camera 20 receives the connection response fromthe printer 10 and transmits a connection request relating to printimage transfer control from the first communication control unit 301 tothe printer 10 (step S608). This connection request is transmitted usinga data packet.

The printer 10 receives the data packet and transmits a receptionacknowledgement (ACK) packet from the first communication control unit201 to the first communication control unit 301 of the digital camera 20(step S609). The first communication control unit 201 of the printer 10transmits the received connection request to the second communicationcontrol unit 202 (step S610). The second communication control unit 202receives the connection request and transmits a connection response(connection acknowledgement) (if it is possible to establish aconnection) (step S611). At this time, the first communication controlunit 201 transmits a connection notification to the link control unit205 (step S612). Upon reception of the notification, the link controlunit 205 changes the state of the second communication control unit 202to “print wait” (step S613). The first communication control unit 201which has received the connection response transmits a connectionresponse relating to print image transfer control to the digital camera20 (step S614). This connection response is transmitted using a datapacket.

The digital camera 20 receives the connection response and transmits anACK packet from the first communication control unit 301 to the firstcommunication control unit 201 of the printer 10 (step S615). At thistime, the first communication control unit 301 transmits the receivedconnection response to the second communication control unit 302 (stepS616).

Then, the printer 10 transmits an image acquisition request from thesecond communication control unit 202 to acquire a print image (stepS617). The first communication control unit 201 receives the request andtransmits an image acquisition request to the digital camera 20 (stepS618).

Upon reception of the image acquisition request, the digital camera 20transmits a reception acknowledgement (ACK) packet from the firstcommunication control unit 301 to the first communication control unit201 of the printer 10 (step S619). At this time, the first communicationcontrol unit 301 transmits the received image acquisition request to thesecond communication control unit 302 (step S620). The secondcommunication control unit 302 receives the image acquisition requestand transmits, to the first communication control unit 301, image datawhich has been designated by the user to be printed (step S621). Thefirst communication control unit 301 receives the image data andtransmits a print image as an image acquisition response to the printer10 (step S622).

Upon reception of the print image (data packet), the printer 10transmits a reception acknowledgement (ACK) packet from the firstcommunication control unit 201 to the first communication control unit301 of the digital camera 20 (step S623). At this time, the firstcommunication control unit 201 transmits the received print image to thesecond communication control unit 202 (step S624). Note that the secondcommunication control unit 202 of the printer 10 and the secondcommunication control unit 302 of the digital camera 20 repeatedlyexecute the above processing in steps S617 to S624 until all printimages are transmitted.

If the printer 10 receives all the print images, the secondcommunication control unit 202 of the printer 10 transmits a print startnotification to the link control unit 205 (step S625). The link controlunit 205 receives this notification and changes the state of the secondcommunication control unit 202 from “print wait” to “printing” (stepS626). The second communication control unit 202 requests the printerfunction unit 207 to execute print processing based on the receivedprint images (step S627). The printer function unit 207 then starts theprint processing. At this time, the second communication control unit202 notifies the first communication control unit 201 that the printprocessing has started (step S628). The first communication control unit201 receives the notification and transmits a print start notificationto the digital camera 20 using a data packet (step S629).

Upon reception of the print start notification, the digital camera 20transmits a reception acknowledgement (ACK) packet from the firstcommunication control unit 301 to the first communication control unit201 of the printer 10 (step S630). At this time, the first communicationcontrol unit 301 also transmits the received print start notification tothe second communication control unit 302 (step S631). This print startnotification is finally transmitted to the user interface control unit307 (step S632). With this processing, the user interface control unit307 displays print start information on a display device to notify theuser that the print processing has started (step S633).

Assume that the user which has looked at the display of the print startinformation moves the digital camera 20 away from the printer 10. Thismeans that communication between the digital camera 20 and the printer10 is disconnected. A processing sequence in the printer 10 when thecommunication is disconnected will be explained below.

As a print processing state changes, the printer 10 sends a notificationabout the print state from the second communication control unit 202(step S634). The first communication control unit 201 receives thenotification about the print state from the second communication controlunit 202, transmits the notification to the digital camera 20 using adata packet, and waits for a reception acknowledgement (ACK) packet tothe notification (step S635). If, for example, the first communicationcontrol unit 201 cannot receive the ACK packet, it retransmits thenotification two or more times, and waits for the ACK packet (stepS636). Assume that the first communication control unit 201 cannotreceive the ACK packet even though it executes the retransmissionprocessing for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the firstcommunication control unit 201 determines that the communication withthe digital camera 20 has been disconnected, and transmits adisconnection notification to the link control unit 205 (step S637). Thelink control unit 205 receives the notification and holds disconnectionprocessing of the second communication control unit 202 (step S638).This is because the state of the second communication control unit 202is “printing”.

Upon completion of the print processing, the printer function unit 207notifies the second communication control unit 202 of a print end (stepS639). The second communication control unit 202 notifies the firstcommunication control unit 201 of the print state (print end) (stepS640). The first communication control unit 201 notifies the firstcommunication control unit 301 of the digital camera 20 of the printstate (step S641).

Upon being notified of the print end, the second communication controlunit 202 notifies the link control unit 205 of the print end (stepS642). The link control unit 205 receives the notification and changesthe state of the second communication control unit 202 from “printing”to “print wait” (step S643). To execute the disconnection processingbeing held, the link control unit 205 transmits a disconnectionnotification to the second communication control unit 202 (step S644).After that, the link control unit 205 changes the state of the secondcommunication control unit 202 to “disconnection” (step S645). Note thatthe second communication control unit 202 receives the disconnectionnotification and ends its processing, that is, print image transfercontrol. The link control unit 205 transmits a disconnectionnotification to the first communication control unit 201 (step S646),and also changes the state of the first communication control unit 201to “disconnection” (step S647). The first communication control unit 201receives the disconnection notification and transmits a disconnectionnotification to the first communication control unit 301 of the digitalcamera 20 (step S648). Then, this processing ends.

Typical embodiments of the present invention have been described above.However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned andillustrated embodiments, and can be properly modified without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

In the above-described embodiment, a case in which a connection requestand connection response are used for processing of establishing aconnection of the first communication control unit (201, 301), and adisconnection notification is used for a disconnection method has beenexplained as an example. The connection procedure and disconnectionprocedure, however, are not limited to them. The procedures comply witha connection procedure and disconnection procedure which are defined incommunication protocols to be used, as a matter of course. As the firstprotocol controlled by the first communication control unit, a wirelesscommunication protocol such as a wireless USB, 802.11 wireless LAN,Bluetooth, and RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) can be used. Inaddition, for example, close proximity wireless transfer (noncontactclose proximity communication) such as NFC (Near Field Communication)and TransferJet, and wired communication such as a USB may be used. Asthe second communication protocol controlled by the second communicationcontrol unit, an image transfer protocol such as PictBridge, PTP(Picture Transfer Protocol), and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) can beused.

In the above-described embodiment, a case in which even after notifyingthat the communication with the digital camera 20 has been disconnected(step S637 in FIG. 6C), the first communication control unit 201 sendsvarious notifications to the first communication control unit 301 of thecommunication partner apparatus has been explained. If, however, thefirst communication control unit 201 detects that the communication withthe opposing apparatus has been disconnected, it may not execute packettransmission processing thereafter. The various notifications include aprint state notification (step S641 in FIG. 6C) and a disconnectionnotification (step S648 in FIG. 6C). This can prevent unnecessarynotification, thereby reducing power consumption.

In the above-described embodiment, when the first communication controlunit 201 cannot receive the ACK packet even though it retransmits thedata for the predetermined period of time, it detects disconnection. Thepresent invention, however, is not limited to this. For example, theunit 201 may detect that the communication has been disconnected when itreceives a negative acknowledgement (NACK) to the transmitted data, or adisconnection request or disconnection notification from thecommunication partner apparatus (the digital camera 20 in theembodiment).

In the above-described embodiment, a case in which if the firstcommunication control unit 201 transmits a data packet, it must receivean ACK packet has been explained as an example. Depending on a data typeto be transmitted, however, a packet which does not require an ACK maybe used along with the above data packet.

In the above-described embodiment, a case in which after the connectionprocessing of the second communication control unit 202 is executed(after step S615 in FIG. 6B), the second communication control unit 202transmits an image acquisition request (step S617 in FIG. 6B) has beenexplained. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. Thatis, it is possible to adapt a sequence based on the specifications ofdirect printing performed between the printer 10 and the digital camera20. For example, after the connection processing of the secondcommunication control unit 202, both the printer 10 and the digitalcamera 20 may execute authentication processing, and then an imageacquisition request sequence from the printer 10 side may be started.Furthermore, the printer 10 side may use, as a trigger, a print startrequest to be transmitted from the digital camera 20 side to start animage acquisition request sequence.

Although the image supply apparatus 20 and the image output apparatus 10have been explained as examples in the above-described embodiment, anapparatus which is supplied with an image need not be the image outputapparatus 10. An information processing apparatus may be used.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the digital camera 20side can disconnect communication at an arbitrary timing after imagedata transfer is completed. The printer 10 side can complete printprocessing, even if the digital camera 20 disconnects communication atan arbitrary timing during the print processing. This can improve userconvenience.

The present invention can adopt embodiments in the forms of, forexample, a system, apparatus, method, program, and storage medium. Thepresent invention may be applied to either a system constituted by aplurality of devices, or an apparatus consisting of a single device.

The present invention includes a case wherein the functions of theaforementioned embodiments are achieved when a software program isdirectly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computerincorporated in that system or apparatus reads out and executes thesupplied program codes. The program to be supplied in this case is acomputer program corresponding to the illustrated flowcharts in theembodiments.

Therefore, the program codes themselves installed in a computer toimplement the functional processing of the present invention using thecomputer also implement the present invention. That is, the presentinvention includes the computer program itself for implementing thefunctional processing of the present invention. In this case, the formof program is not particularly limited, and an object code, a program tobe executed by an interpreter, script data to be supplied to an OS(Operating System), and the like may be used as long as they have thefunctions of the program.

As a computer-readable storage medium for supplying the computerprogram, various media can be used. As another program supply method,the user establishes connection to a website on the Internet using abrowser on a client computer, and downloads the computer program of thepresent invention from the website onto a recording medium such as ahard disk.

The functions of the aforementioned embodiments can be implemented whenthe computer executes the readout program. In addition, the functions ofthe aforementioned embodiments may be implemented in collaboration withan OS or the like running on the computer based on an instruction ofthat program. In this case, the OS or the like executes some or all ofactual processes, which implement the functions of the aforementionedembodiments.

According to the present invention, if image transfer is completed, itis possible to guarantee an output operation by an image outputapparatus regardless of the connection state between apparatuses. Thismakes it possible to disconnect communication between the apparatuses atan arbitrary timing after the image transfer is completed. Even if thecommunication between the apparatuses is disconnected, the outputoperation is not terminated during its execution, thereby improving userconvenience.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2008-171246 filed on Jun. 30, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An image output apparatus comprising: afirst communication control unit configured to control a wirelesscommunication with another apparatus according to a first protocol; asecond communication control unit configured to control a communicationrelating to an image according to a second protocol conducted via thewireless communication according to the first protocol; an image outputunit configured to execute output processing of an image provided via acommunication control by the second communication control unit; a linkcontrol unit configured to defer disconnection processing of thecommunication by the second communication control unit, if disconnectionof the wireless communication by the first communication control unit isdetected, based on a state of the output processing by the image outputunit; and a notification unit configured to notify the another apparatusof a state of the output processing by the image output unit inaccordance with a completion of the output processing by the imageoutput unit and a state of the wireless communication controlled by thefirst communication control unit, wherein, if the wireless communicationby the first communication control unit is not disconnected during theoutput processing by the image output unit, the notification unitnotifies the another apparatus of the state of the output processing bythe image output unit in accordance with a completion of the outputprocessing by the image output unit, and if the wireless communicationby the first communication control unit is disconnected during theoutput processing by the image output unit, the notification unitrestricts notification of the state of the output processing by theimage output unit to the another apparatus even if the output processingby the image output unit is completed.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the link control unit defers the disconnectionprocessing by the second communication control unit during when theimage output unit executes the output processing.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the link control unit executesdisconnection processing of the communication by the secondcommunication control unit in response to the output unit completing theoutput processing.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a determining unit configured to determine whether thedisconnection processing of the communication by the secondcommunication control unit is deferred by the link control unit.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second communication controlunit receives image data from a communication partner apparatus andprovides the transferred image data to the image output unit.
 6. Acontrol method performed by an image output apparatus, the methodcomprising: controlling a wireless communication with another apparatusaccording to a first protocol; controlling a communication relating toan image according to a second protocol conducted via the wirelesscommunication according to the first protocol; executing outputprocessing of an image provided via a communication control in thecontrolling of the communication relating to the image; deferringdisconnection processing of the communication in the controlling of thecommunication relating to the image, if disconnection of the wirelesscommunication in the controlling is detected, based on a state of theoutput processing in the executing; and notifying the another apparatusof a state of the output processing in accordance with a completion ofthe output processing by the executing and a state of the wirelesscommunication controlled by the controlling of the wirelesscommunication, wherein, if the wireless communication is notdisconnected during the output processing by the executing, thenotifying notifies the another apparatus of the state of the outputprocessing in accordance with a completion of the output processing, andif the wireless communication is disconnected during the outputprocessing, the notifying restricts notification of the state of theoutput processing to the another apparatus even if the output processingis completed.
 7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring a computer program that causes a computer to perform a methodcomprising: controlling a wireless communication with another apparatusaccording to a first protocol; controlling a communication relating toan image according to a second protocol conducted via the wirelesscommunication according to the first protocol; executing outputprocessing of an image provided via a communication control in thecontrolling of the communication relating to the image; deferringdisconnection processing of the communication in the controlling of thecommunication relating to the image, if disconnection of the wirelesscommunication in the controlling of the wireless communication isdetected, based on a state of the output processing in the executing;and notifying the another apparatus of a state of the output processingin accordance with a completion of the output processing by theexecuting and a state of the wireless communication controlled by thecontrolling of the wireless communication, wherein, if the wirelesscommunication is not disconnected during the processing by theexecuting, the notifying notifies the another apparatus of the state ofthe output processing in accordance with a completion of the outputprocessing, and if the wireless communication is disconnected during theoutput processing, the notifying restricts notification of the state ofthe output processing to the another apparatus even if the outputprocessing is completed.
 8. An image output apparatus comprising: afirst communication control unit configured to control a wirelesscommunication with another apparatus according to a first protocol; asecond communication control unit configured to control a communicationrelating to an image according to a second protocol conducted via thewireless communication according to the first protocol; an image outputunit configured to execute output processing of an image provided via acommunication control by the second communication control unit from theanother apparatus; and a notification unit configured to notify theanother apparatus of a state of the output processing by the imageoutput unit in accordance with a completion of the output processing bythe image output unit and a state of the wireless communicationcontrolled by the first communication control unit; wherein the imageoutput unit continues the output processing even if disconnectionprocessing of the wireless communication by the first communicationcontrol unit is detected, wherein, if the wireless communication by thefirst communication control unit is not disconnected during the outputprocessing by the image output unit, the notification unit notifies theanother apparatus of the state of the output processing by the imageoutput unit in accordance with a completion of the output processing bythe image output unit, and if the wireless communication by the firstcommunication control unit is disconnected during the output processingby the image output unit, the notification unit restricts notificationof the state of the output processing by the image output unit to theanother apparatus even if the output processing by the image output unitis completed.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the firstcommunication control unit performs a wireless communication, which iscompliant to IEEE802.11 series, with the another apparatus.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first communication controlunit performs a wireless communication, which is compliant to Bluetooth,with the another apparatus.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the first communication control unit performs a wirelesscommunication, which is compliant to NFC (Near Field Communication),with the another apparatus.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the second protocol is PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) or FTP(File Transfer Protocol).
 13. A method for an image output apparatus,comprising: a first communication control step to control a wirelesscommunication with another apparatus according to a first protocol; asecond communication control step to control a communication relating toan image according to a second protocol conducted via the wirelesscommunication according to the first protocol; an image output step toexecute output processing of an image provided via a communicationcontrol by the second communication control step from the anotherapparatus; and a notification step to notify the another apparatus of astate of the output processing by the image output step in accordancewith a completion of the output processing by the image output step anda state of the wireless communication controlled by the firstcommunication control step, wherein the image output step continues theoutput processing even if disconnection processing of the wirelesscommunication by the first communication control step is detected,wherein, if the wireless communication by the first communicationcontrol step is not disconnected during the output processing by theimage output step, the notification step notifies the another apparatusof the state of the output processing by the image output step inaccordance with a completion of the output processing by the imageoutput step, and if the wireless communication by the firstcommunication control step is disconnected during the output processingby the image output step, the notification step restricts notificationof the state of the output processing by the image output step to theanother apparatus even if the output processing by the image output stepis completed.
 14. A non-transitory storage medium storing instructionswhich, when executed by a computer, cause performance of a method for animage output apparatus, the method comprising: a first communicationcontrol step to control a wireless communication with another apparatusaccording to a first protocol; a second communication control step tocontrol a communication relating to an image according to a secondprotocol conducted via the wireless communication according to the firstprotocol; an image output step to execute output processing of an imageprovided via a communication control by the second communication controlstep from the another apparatus; and a notification step to notify theanother apparatus of a state of the output processing by the imageoutput step in accordance with a completion of the output processing bythe image output step and a state of the wireless communicationcontrolled by the first communication control step, wherein the imageoutput step continues the output processing even if disconnectionprocessing of the wireless communication by the first communicationcontrol step is detected, wherein, if the wireless communication by thefirst communication control step is not disconnected during the outputprocessing by the image output step, the notification step notifies theanother apparatus of the state of the output processing by the imageoutput step in accordance with a completion of the output processing bythe image output step, and if the wireless communication by the firstcommunication control step is disconnected during the output processingby the image output step, the notification step restricts notificationof the state of the output processing by the image output step to theanother apparatus even if the output processing by the image output stepis completed.